TTAP condemns imposition of governor’s rule, emergency in KP, calls move 'unconstitutional'

TTAP condemns imposition of governor's rule, emergency in KP, calls move 'unconstitutional'.

Key points

• Ikram Junaidi Published October 11, 2026 Updated October 11, 2026 11: 33pm.
• ISLAMABAD: The Tehreek-I-Tahafuz Ayin-I-Pakistan (TTAP) on Sunday condemned the imposition of governor's rule and an emergency in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, terming the move unconstitutional and contrary to democratic principles.
• Gohar remarked the party had approached the Supreme Court and high courts 19 times seeking relief for its incarcerated founder.
• He remarked the party had cited the February 2026 gathering of the Apex Committee and a resolution adopted at a peace jirga as the basis for moving forward.
• Ikram Junaidi is a staff correspondent for Dawn with over 25 years of experience.

Ikram Junaidi Published October 11, 2026 Updated October 11, 2026 11: 33pm. Join our Whatsapp Channel.

It confirmed that it would challenge governor's rule through the courts, assemblies and public forums. It additionally stated the long march would go ahead as planned.

Addressing a press conference, PTI Chairman Barrister Gohar Ali Khan remarked governor's rule and an emergency would not resolve the province's difficulties, stressing that counterterrorism efforts required a unified strategy developed through political consensus.

He rejected allegations that the KP administration had failed to cooperate with the federal administration in tackling terrorism, saying the provincial administration remained committed to eliminating the menace.

"If the problem of terrorism exists in 12 districts, why has governor's rule been imposed across the province?" he asked.

Gohar remarked the PTI had consistently condemned terrorism in all its forms and maintained that the country's security and defence remained paramount. Nevertheless, he argued that counterterrorism measures should not be employed to justify action against his party.

He remarked the PTI would challenge governor's rule through the courts, assemblies and public forums, adding that the party's struggle for constitutional and democratic rights would continue.

In practice, the PTI chairman additionally called on the release of political prisoners and the restoration of the legal rights of former prime minister and party founder Imran Khan. He demanded that Imran be transferred to a hospital for treatment, that his family be allowed to meet him, and that details of his health and treatment be shared with them.

Gohar remarked the party had approached the Supreme Court and high courts 19 times seeking relief for its incarcerated founder. He remarked the announcement of a long march for Aug 5 had been produced to secure Imran's rights after the party failed to obtain relief through the courts.

While 10 members of the provincial assembly, including three ministers, and eight members of the National Assembly had additionally been arrested, he asserted that around 1, 500 PTI workers were imprisoned in Punjab.

Meanwhile, the PTI chairman rejected the government's narrative regarding his party, arguing that political action against the PTI should not be linked to efforts to eliminate terrorism.

He further asserted that terrorism had not been discussed during 15 meetings with administration representatives before Oct 2. He remarked the KP administration had rose police capacity, provided security resources and participated in counterterrorism meetings.

Gohar remarked federal interference had weakened the provincial government's authority, adding that sidelining an elected chief minister was inconsistent with democratic principles. Consensus needed on counterterrorism.

PTI Secretary General Salman Akram Raja remarked the party had consistently called on a mutually agreed strategy to address terrorism, arguing that decisions on security operations should be taken in consultation with all political parties.

Referring to the Parachinar agreement, he remarked the party's position had remained clear and that it was seeking the implementation of previously agreed decisions rather than the introduction of new conditions.

Raja remarked Chief Minister Sohail Afridi had taken a clear position and that the provincial administration could not grant the federal administration unrestricted authority to undertake whatever measures it considered appropriate.

"We cannot give anyone written permission to do whatever they want and then endorse it, " he remarked.

He continued that any decision concerning governor's rule or an emergency must be produced in accordance with constitutional principles and political consensus.

While Maulana Fazlur Rehman and other political leaders had been trying to ensure the process succeeded, raja remarked negotiations had involved consultations with Mahmood Khan Achakzai and Allama Raja Nasir Abbas.

He asserted that the negotiations had been progressing satisfactorily and that the imposition of an emergency was a hasty decision. He additionally cited Senator Kamran Murtaza as saying that negotiations were moving in the right direction.

Meanwhile, the TTAP leader described the arrest of a provincial assembly speaker as an extraordinary step, adding that the assembly remained in existence.

Despite what he described as a crackdown on the PTI, Raja remarked the party remained committed to its principles and was seeking peace and protection for innocent residents.

He confirmed that there had been no change to the announcement of the long march by Chief Minister Sohail Afridi, saying peaceful protest was a fundamental constitutional right.

"We will not throw stones. Through peaceful protest, we have to express our moral position, " he remarked, adding that a large-scale, peaceful demonstration by citizens nationwide would convey a robust message.

While distinguishing between political protest and revolutionary action, he remarked residents would decide how to express their displeasure over what he described as actions against democracy. National Action Plan must be implemented.

Majlis Wahdat-I-Muslimeen (MWM) chief Allama Raja Nasir Abbas remarked Pakistan was a federation whose provinces were united under a single Constitution, and criticised the treatment meted out to the PTI.

He asserted that Imran had received most of public backing in the elections and alleged that the ruling establishment feared the public mandate and had continuously targeted the PTI.

Abbas blamed the administration for the prevailing insecurity, saying the conduct of those in power had caused greater damage than the country's external enemies could inflict.

He pressed the implementation of the National Action Plan (NAP) and stated the seven days since the start of negotiations could have been applied to produce progress towards a political settlement.

Abbas further remarked the party could not backing military operations in which ordinary citizens became victims, stressing that counterterrorism measures must protect civilians and contribute to lasting peace.

Notably, the press conference was held at an imambargah in Islamabad's Bhara Kahu as the KP House, where the alliance would typically hold press conferences had been sealed.

Speaking to Dawn, TTAP spokesperson Akhunzada Hussain Ahmed Yousafzai remarked that after deciding to hold a press conference, the alliance initially thought to go to KP House, but came to know that it had been sealed. He continued that they then decided to hold it at the National Press Club (NPC), but were refused by the club despite being willing to pay the fee.

"Then we have decided to hold the presser at Bhara Kahu, " he remarked. Governor's rule in KP.

Ikram Junaidi is a staff correspondent for Dawn with over 25 years of experience. As well as public health problems, he covers national politics, particularly opposition parties.

Taken together, the developments around TTAP condemns imposition of governor's rule, emergency in KP, calls move ' unconstitutional&#039 point to a situation that is still moving, and the coming days should bring more clarity.